Our Lore

Project Variety

Mottled is a project variety for Silkies, and at Her Chickies, we hope to one day contribute to their approval by the American Bantam Association. Project varieties are colors that have not been accepted by the APA and/or ABA, but are working to acceptance. It can take over 5 years for a variety to be accepted! In addition, project varieties must also breed 50% true to be accepted.

Mottled is not correct term to refer to the gene responsible for white-tipped feathers—that would be mottling. Mottled is a recognized variety by both the APA and ABA in several breeds. The term mottling itself does not define the ideal variations, structures, or other specific ratios—that would be Mottled. Because of this distinction, it is important to properly refer to Mottled as a variety when discussing Mottled birds, rather than confusing it with the mottling gene. 

At Her Chickies, we work with Silkies that are Mottled: black based birds with sparse, intermittent white tipped feathers—not Exchequer, “hyper-mottled,” or other variations. Our Mottled Silkies are bred to follow the written standard outlined by the Standard of Perfection and Bantam Standard as closely as possible.

The "Transformation"

Our Mottled chicks typically hatch with the standard mottled down (black backs with yellow bellies and faces), but the white tips are very minimal as they grow and in some cases, the white markings will completely disappear, but eventually reappear as they age. 

The transformation begins when they go through their first adult molt, which usually happens around the age of one year. During this molt, the feathers gradually start to show more white tips. The process is slow and may take some time to fully develop, but by the end of the molt, you’ll begin to see the beautiful contrast of black feathers with the white tipped markings that are characteristic to the Mottled variety. Mottling also tends to become more pronounced the older the bird becomes.

White Skin

While Silkies are meant to carry the fibromelanosis gene, which results in black skin and meat, the introduction of the mottling gene—along with the necessary outcrossing to establish it—has led to many Mottled Silkies retaining white skin. In some cases, they may still exhibit white skin, but develop dark beaks, faces, and legs.

We have been consistently working to improve skin color along with many other important characteristics like toes.

Toes

Silkies are known for having five toes on each foot, a trait caused by the polydactyly gene, which makes multiple toes the dominant expression. In our mottled pen, there’s a high chance of getting chicks with four toes. Despite this being an issue, toes are a relatively easy fix and consequently, are not a high priority.

Satins

Satins are a project breed that we hope will be accepted one day, but they are not something we plan to keep or breed. They are typically smooth-feathered and may carry the silkie feathering gene. While we do appreciate Satins, we are completely Satin free as of January 2026. Our goal has always been to focus solely on Silkies.

Recessive Genetics

Our pen has been not yet been tested for recessive white and lavender. We have had zero issues with either gene expressing itself and are choosing to focus on type before spending money and time on DNA testing for either in our Mottled pen.

However, like many other breeders, we are still working to eliminate any traces of these recessive genetics and hope to be DNA tested clean for both before 2028.

"Partridge" carriers possible.

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